Mr Irranca-Davies was confirmed as the new Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs on Thursday 21 March, as new First Minister Vaughan Gething MS announced his new Cabinet.
Looking forward
NFU Cymru looks forward to meeting with the new Cabinet Secretary at the earliest opportunity given the numerous and well-documented challenges currently facing Welsh farmers.
NFU Cymru President Aled Jones said: “I’d like to offer my congratulations to Huw Irranca-Davies MS on his appointment as Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs.
Sharing our key asks
“The new Cabinet Secretary brings a wealth of experience to the portfolio, having previously presided as Defra Parliamentary Under Secretary and he was subsequently a Shadow Defra Minister. In his role as a Member of the Senedd, he has engaged regularly with NFU Cymru and our members. Indeed, we met with him earlier this week when he attended our Sustainable Farming Scheme drop-in session at the Senedd. We were pleased to be able to share our key asks to Mr Irranca-Davies.
Early meeting
“We anticipate an early meeting with the Cabinet Secretary to talk through the very pressing challenges the sector faces and the ongoing unrest in the industry. One of the top policy priorities will be for the Cabinet Secretary to address the union’s concerns around the current Sustainable Farming Scheme proposals. We will also be asking the Cabinet Secretary to recognise the emotional and financial impact of current Welsh Government bovine TB policy. In addition to this, NFU Cymru will impress upon the Cabinet Secretary the need to review the unworkable water quality regulations that Welsh farmers are subject to.
“NFU Cymru has a vision for Welsh farmers to be world-leaders in the production of climate friendly food and we look forward to working with the new Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs to help Welsh farming realise its ambitions.”